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Rock climbing is not just about strength or technique — it’s about mindset.
Many climbers spend years trying to climb harder grades, often focusing on finger strength, endurance, or technical skills. But according to professional climbing guide Jany Novotny, one of the biggest barriers to progress isn’t physical — it’s mental.
Fear of falling, hesitation above the bolt, or simply doubting your ability can stop climbers from reaching their true potential.
Jany Novotny knows this well. As the founder of Rockbusters, a European climbing guiding and coaching company, he has spent years helping climbers break through both technical and psychological barriers on the rock.
Through guided rock climbing trips, performance camps, and coaching programs across Europe, Rockbusters combines world-class climbing destinations with structured training and a strong community atmosphere.
From limestone cliffs in Spain to iconic European crags, Jany has guided climbers from around the world — helping them improve their climbing while building lasting friendships and unforgettable experiences.
We sat down with Jany to talk about his climbing journey, the psychology behind improving as a climber, and what people gain from joining a guided climbing trip in Europe.
Adventurtle: How did you first discover climbing, and what eventually led you to become a guide?
Jany Novotny:
“I started climbing when I was in Pennsylvania with my family during high school. A guy was running an adventure program for teenagers, and he took us climbing and caving.”
Before that, climbing wasn’t really part of Jany’s life.
“I was mostly playing basketball and skiing. My whole family are all skiers. Climbing was actually kind of a forbidden activity where I grew up because the sandstone climbing there can be very risky.”
Eventually, a climbing trip to Spain helped him realize he could turn his passion into a career.
“I went to Spain, did some climbing there, and found a job as a ski instructor in Sierra Nevada. That’s when I started thinking — maybe this is the way to go. Maybe I can turn climbing into a job too.”
Adventurtle: What inspired you to start your own climbing guiding company?
For Jany, the answer comes down to lifestyle.
“From the beginning, I always felt like the world is a little bit wrong,” he laughs. “It’s not normal to spend eleven months working and then have one month of vacation.”
For someone passionate about the mountains, that schedule didn’t make sense.
“If you want to ski powder or climb cool routes, you need time for it. Sometimes you have to wait for the conditions, and that doesn’t happen during one week of vacation.”
So Jany built a life around guiding and coaching climbers, eventually creating Rockbusters as a way to organize climbing trips and share those experiences with others.
Adventurtle: What’s something climbing has taught you that people outside the sport might not expect?
For Jany, climbing is about commitment and priorities.
“You need to set priorities and give up lots of things, but it’s worth it,” he says.
And perhaps more importantly, climbing teaches you not to wait.
“If you want to climb, just go climbing and do it now. Life is too short.”
Adventurtle: Rockbusters focuses heavily on mindset and mental training. How do you help climbers push through fear?
According to Jany, fear is one of the biggest obstacles climbers face.
“Lots of people just need to open their eyes and understand that the only way to get rid of fear is to keep going for it.”
The process isn’t instant.
“You slowly push the boundary higher and higher. The more times you get out of your comfort zone, the bigger your comfort zone becomes.”
Adventurtle: When climbers feel stuck in their progress, what do you usually see holding them back?
For Jany, the answer is simple.
“The biggest mistake is that climbers are not truthful with themselves.”
Instead of addressing the real problem, climbers often look for easier explanations.
“If someone is scared, they might say, ‘I need to get stronger,’ or ‘my technique is bad.’ But they are just avoiding the real issue.”
That doesn’t mean strength and technique don’t matter — but ignoring the mental barrier limits progress.
“They might get stronger and climb harder, but they will never reach their full potential if they don’t address the real problem.”
Adventurtle: After guiding so many climbing trips, is there a moment that stands out?
Jany laughs before answering.
“There are so many memorable things,” he says.
But what stands out most to him is the friendships that come from climbing.
“Many clients become friends. People meet on a Rockbusters trip, and then they go climbing together all over the world.”
Sometimes those friendships continue long after the trip ends.
“They send me photos years later from trips they planned together. That’s really cool to see.”
Adventurtle: When someone joins their first Rockbusters trip, what do you hope they take away from the experience?
Improving as a climber is part of the goal, but it’s not the whole story.
“Hopefully they improve their climbing,” Jany says. “But also, they make new friendships and get introduced to a new climbing area.”
Rockbusters trips are designed to help climbers see their movement and technique from a new perspective.
“You get information and feedback from someone watching you climb from the outside, not just yourself and your friends.”
That outside perspective can often unlock breakthroughs climbers struggle to reach on their own.
Climbing with an experienced guide can dramatically accelerate your progress.
Instead of relying only on trial and error, climbers benefit from structured feedback, coaching, and local expertise.
Guided climbing trips often include:
For many climbers, these trips become a turning point in their climbing journey.
Rockbusters organizes guided climbing trips, coaching camps, and performance training programs across Europe.
Popular programs include:
These trips combine professional coaching, adventure travel, and community — helping climbers improve while experiencing some of the best rock climbing destinations in the world.
Yes. Guided climbing trips allow climbers to improve faster through professional coaching, expert route selection, and local knowledge of climbing areas. Many climbers also gain confidence and overcome mental barriers more quickly.
No. Many guided climbing trips welcome intermediate climbers and focus on skill improvement, technique development, and mental training.
Climbing coaches help climbers improve technique, movement efficiency, route reading, mental performance, and training strategy.
Some of the most famous climbing destinations include Spain, France, Italy, and Greece — offering thousands of sport climbing routes on world-class limestone cliffs.
At Adventurtle, we believe great adventures start with great guides.
Climbers like Jany Novotny represent the heart of the outdoor community — guides who dedicate their lives to helping others grow on the rock while exploring incredible places.
Whether you're looking to improve your climbing technique, overcome mental barriers, or experience iconic European climbing destinations, guided trips can open the door to unforgettable adventures.
Because sometimes the biggest breakthrough in climbing begins with the right guide.
Download the Adventurtle app to explore climbing trips with Rockbusters.
